Thursday, May 20, 2010

Today I woke up to a disgraceful display of disrespect to US sovereignty. Felipe Calderon, the president of Mexico gives a lecture about immigration before a joint session of Congress. He said that the Arizona immigration law will use racial profiling and the wienies in Congress gave him a standing ovation, when in reality it is Mexico who racially profiles, but not one had the guts to get up and walk out.

Interesting enough last night during an interview on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, President Calderon when asked if people could live in Mexico illegally, his answer was no and when asked if Mexican police routinely ask for papers from people they deemed illegal, his answer was yes-what a hypocrite-either that or he is not very bright, because he debacled his whole argument!!

"Immigration Law in Mexico" A foreigner is required to be:

In Mexico legally;

Have the means to sustain themselves economically;

Not destined to be burdens on society;

Of economic and social benefit to society;

Of good character and have no criminal records; and

Contributors to the general well being of the nation.

"The law also ensures that:

Authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;

Foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;

Foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country's internal politics;

Foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;

Foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;

Those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison."

"Mexico welcomes only foreigners who will be useful to Mexican society:

Foreigners are admitted into Mexico "according to their possibilities ofcontributing to national progress." (Article 32)

Immigration officials must 'ensure' that 'immigrants will be useful elements for the country and that they have the necessary funds for their sustenance' and for their dependents. (Article 34)

Foreigners may be barred from the country if their presence upsets 'the equilibrium of the national demographics,' when foreigners are deemed detrimental to 'economic or national interests,' when they do not behave like good citizens in their own country, when they have broken Mexican laws, andwhen 'they are not found to be physically or mentally healthy.' (Article 37)

The Secretary of Governance may 'suspend or prohibit the admission of foreigners when he determines it to be in the national interest.' (Article 38)

Mexican authorities must keep track of every single person in the country:

Federal, local and municipal police must cooperate with federal immigration authorities upon request, i.e., to assist in the arrests of illegal immigrants. (Article 73)

A National Population Registry keeps track of 'every single individual who comprises the population of the country,' and verifies each individual's identity. (Articles 85 and 86)

A national Catalog of Foreigners tracks foreign tourists and immigrants (Article 87), and assigns each individual with a unique tracking number (Article 91).

Foreigners with fake papers, or who enter the country under false pretenses, may be imprisoned:

Foreigners with fake immigration papers may be fined or imprisoned. (Article 116)

Foreigners who sign government documents 'with a signature that is false or different from that which he normally uses' are subject to fine and imprisonment. (Article 116)

Foreigners who fail to obey the rules will be fined, deported, and/or imprisoned as felons:

Foreigners who fail to obey a deportation order are to be punished. (Article 117)

Foreigners who are deported from Mexico and attempt to re-enter the country without authorization can be imprisoned for up to 10 years. (Article 118)

Foreigners who violate the terms of their visa may be sentenced to up to six years in prison (Articles 119, 120 and 121). Foreigners who misrepresent the terms of their visa while in Mexico - such as working with out a permit - can also be imprisoned.

Under Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony. The General Law on Population says,

A penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of three hundred to five thousand pesos will be imposed on the foreigner who enters the country illegally. (Article 123)

Foreigners with legal immigration problems may be deported from Mexico instead of being imprisoned. (Article 125)

Foreigners who 'attempt against national sovereignty or security' will be deported. (Article 126)

Mexicans who help illegal aliens enter the country are themselves considered criminals under the law.

A Mexican who marries a foreigner with the sole objective of helping the foreigner live in the country is subject to up to five years in prison. (Article 127)

Shipping and airline companies that bring undocumented foreigners into Mexico will be fined. (Article 132)"

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

All over the world exiled Cubans celebrate Independence Day. Since the communists came to power over 50 years ago, this day is not officially celebrated inside Cuba.

On May 20th 1902, after 30 years of wars against Spain, Cuba won independence.

The Cuban Liberation Army of about 40,000, was several times smaller than the Spanish Army, which numbered more then 200,000 troops. However, superior guerrilla strategy, higher combat morale, excellent command and the general support of the population, enabled the final victory. The Cuban freedom fighters "Mambi fighters", fought with bravery and were known for their exceptional ability to use the machete to charge the enemy. The Spaniards, though cruel and vicious were no match for these brave men and women. I suppose that when you fight for love of country the motivation gives you strength to do anything.

200,000 Cubans died fighting these wars. 400,000 died as a result of the "Reconcentration Policy" that sent thousands of Cubans into concentration camps. In 1896, General Weyler of Spain implemented the first wave.Weyler had nothing on Hitler who probably learned from this butcher. Under Weyler's policy, the rural population had eight days to move into designated camps located in fortified towns; any person who failed to obey was shot.

The housing in these areas was typically abandoned, decaying, roofless, and virtually uninhabitable. Food was scarce and famine and disease quickly swept through the camps. By 1898, one third of Cuba's population had been forcibly sent into the concentration camps.

As a result of this inhumane policy, many women joined the men in the battlefield.

Correspondent Julian Hawthorne -- son of Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter described the Spaniards as "pitiless."

Cubagenweb.org has a searchable database where the names of these patriots can be found as well as all kinds of interesting information related to Cuban History and Genealogy.